my partner has a beard 
and it represents the seasons 
copper fuzz in Autumn 
spreads out across his chin 
black stubble in Winter 
and in Spring the grey hairs 
have reached his ears –
off it comes 
trimmed for 
the cool breeze
of the Summer.

Kate Lewington (C)

This poem was first self-published in my book of travel poetry, titled Here Comes the Sun.